Appetite Suppressants: What Are They and Do They Actually Work?

It’s a sad but unfortunate truth–nearly 40% of adults in the United States have obesity. That doesn’t even include the 19% of young people who also have the same condition. There’s also the fact that one in three adults are overweight.

The U.S. isn’t alone in this problem though. On a global scale, about one in five adults have obesity. Worldwide, one in every six children are obese.

With overweight and obesity being quite common, it’s possible you belong in this group. Which is why you’re now wondering whether it’s a good idea to take appetite suppressants. Whether including this in your weight loss program can really benefit you.

That’s what we’ll share with you in this post. Read on to find out more about how the right appetite suppressant can help pave the way for you being fit and healthy.

Why You Need to Regain Control of Your Weight

Obesity is a threat to your life–it affects you as a person, it’s a massive economic burden, and it reduces the overall quality of your life.

Just think of how obesity costs the country a whopping $192 billion in health care costs. That’s nearly $590 per person that goes into medical expenditures alone. That means that if your household has two obese members, you’re looking at almost $1,180 in additional expenses.

If that’s not enough to make you concerned about your weight, then think of how overweight and obese individuals are 4 times more likely to develop diabetes. And how this condition accounts for 12% of diseases that claim the lives of people in the country.

That’s not all. Being overweight and obese also increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even some types of cancer!

Let’s not also forget about how others are prejudice against overweight and obese people. And while it’s against the law for employers to discriminate against weight, this doesn’t stop others from committing their bullying acts. This is one of the many reasons being overweight and obesity have close ties with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

All these are the top reasons you should start working on bringing your weight down now. And the sooner you find the right appetite suppressants that work, the sooner you can avert these life threats.

What Appetite Suppressants Are All About

For many, the core of them being overweight and obese is overeating. But why do they overeat in the first place?

Nutrient deficiency, not enough healthy fats or fiber, and high levels of emotional stress are some of the reasons you think you’re hungry (and thus, need to eat). The goal of hunger suppressants is to make you feel satisfied, which then keeps you from overeating. What’s more, you can abate your cravings without relying on diet pills.

Keep in mind though, that hormones can also be the culprit behind your overeating habits. That’s why keeping your hormones in check can help with weight loss, and at the same time, weight loss can help bring your hormones back in balance.

How They Work

You’ll find appetite suppressants in various forms–from pills to drinks to supplements. Note too, that weight loss appetite suppressants are called such because they share some similarities with weight loss pills. They’re different though, in the way that the latter deals with obesity–and emotional-eating issues.

Basically, hunger suppressants balance the levels of “hunger hormones,” including the appetite-increasing ghrelin and the appetite-reducing leptin. When these hormones are out of whack, your body may think that it’s already hungry even though you’ve only recently eaten–and quite a lot too. Simply put, they have a lot to do with curbing or upping your appetite.

For instance, if you’re low on leptin, the “satiety hormone,” your brain may think that your body doesn’t have enough stored fat. This then leads to you feeling that need to eat (or consume more), which results in overeating. There are many possible reasons for leptin deficiency, one of which is lack of sleep.

Too much ghrelin, on the other hand, overstimulates your appetite. When this happens, you tend to overeat, and your body goes into fat-storage overdrive.

The result? Overeating that increases weight and fat.

With the right hunger suppressants, you can bring these hormones back to their normal production and amounts. They’ll aid not just in controlling overeating, but also reducing your hunger. They’ll decrease your appetite while boosting satiety and feelings of fullness too.

Plus, you’ll see a reduction in your food craving tendencies!

How Effective They Are

One study showed that subjects with obesity achieved as much as 13% weight loss through phentermine therapy. Another study revealed that phentermine is amongst the most effective for achieving weight loss in overweight or obese people.

It’s for this reason that doctors use phentermine as an integral part of robust weight loss programs. Especially for their patients who are overweight or obese. And by robust, we mean the inclusion of doctor-approved exercise regimen, lifestyle changes, and proper diet.

Are They Safe?

Phentermine is one of the few hunger suppressants that received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This alone should tell you that it’s safe and effective. But there are other studies that also show how controlled doses of it can help in losing a considerable amount of weight.

Take Control of Your Weight Now

Of course, before you start taking these appetite-curbing products, you should consult with your primary physician first. This way, you can determine whether appetite suppressants are safe for your current health and which specific brands are best suited to your needs. Your doctor can also help develop a more solid weight loss program for you.